Device for the selective metering of seed and additives intended for sowing and improving soils

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a device for the selective metering of seed intended essentially for sowing and/or reseeding soils and of additives intended essentially for improving and/or treating the soils; said device comprising essentially:  
     a) a hopper ( 1 ) intended to contain the said seed or the said additives;  
     b) a unit for the selective metering ( 2, 3, 4 ) of the seed or of the additives originating from the said hopper;  
     c) means ( 5, 6 ) of transferring the seed or the additives originating from the said metering unit, into furrows created in the soil by means of a scarification unit provided with a plurality of discs ( 7 );  
     wherein the unit for the selective metering of the seed and additives originating from the hopper comprises in combination:  
     a) a selective metering roll ( 2 ) comprising, longitudinally, a plurality of successive zones (Z) each subdivided into at least two zones (Z 1 ) and (Z 2 ) provided with means ( 2 A), ( 2 B) and ( 2 C) suitable for metering the seed or the additives according to their particle size;  
     b) a means ( 3 ) comprising a plurality of openings ( 3 A), separated by solid parts ( 3 B), suitable, by the lateral movement of the said means ( 3 ), for making the seed or additives originating from the hopper ( 1 ) communicate either with the zone (Z 1 ), or with the zone (Z 2 );  
     c) a means ( 4 ) comprising a plurality of openings ( 4 A), separated by solid parts ( 4 B), suitable, by the lateral movement of the said means ( 4 ), for blocking off, to a greater or lesser extent, the openings ( 3 A) of the means ( 3 ).

[0001] The invention concerns a device for the selective metering ofseed intended essentially for sowing and/or reseeding soils and ofadditives intended essentially for improving (fertilizers) and/ortreating (pesticides) soils.

[0002] The, areas to which the device according to the invention relatesare:

[0003] sowing, which is an operation undertaken after preparation of thesoil (ploughing or other);

[0004] reseeding, or direct seeding, which is an operation undertaken tocompensate, either for a natural mortality of the vegetation mat, or fora mortality caused by a contact herbicide treatment, without soilpreparation;

[0005] reseeding which is an operation that consists in incorporatingnew grasses into an existing lawn;

[0006] improvement or treatment of the soil by dressing with veryspecific additives.

[0007] The potential users of the device according to the invention are:

[0008] service providers such as landscape gardeners, regenerators ofgrassed sports grounds, equipment rental companies;

[0009] operators of golf courses and race courses;

[0010] departments responsible for the maintenance of parks and gardensof local authorities;

[0011] seed growers and cooperatives for grassing down vineyards andorchards.

[0012] The objectives which the device according to the invention aimsto achieve are:

[0013] to combine in the same device the means relating to theoperations of sowing, resowing, reseeding, improvement and treatment ofsoils by granular, powder and even liquid additives by spraying;

[0014] to provide an apparatus capable of adapting equally well to agolf green (springy and extremely delicate ground) as to a race course(large, more rustic surface area mowed to a height of 8 to 10 cm);

[0015] to obtain a device that is quickly and easily manoeuvrable,having little friction on the soil, usable on surfaces containingobstacles (sprinklers, stones and other), able to be adjusted to suitthe working width (for example from 70 cm to 3.50 metres) by thejuxtaposition of basic modules, with very little wear, usable in alltypes of weather.

[0016] The basic modules comprising the device according to theinvention are essentially:

[0017] a hopper intended to contain the seed or the additives;

[0018] a unit for the selective metering of the seed or of the additivesoriginating from the said hopper;

[0019] means of transferring the seed or the additives originating fromthe said metering unit, into the furrows created in the soil by means ofa scarification unit provided with a plurality of discs.

[0020] They are essentially characterized in that the unit for theselective metering of the seed and additives originating from the hoppercomprises in combination:

[0021] a) a selective metering roll comprising, longitudinally, aplurality of successive zones each subdivided into at least two zonesprovided with means suitable for metering the seed or the additivesaccording to their particle size;

[0022] b) a first means comprising a plurality of openings, separated bysolid parts, suitable, by the lateral movement of the said means, formaking the seed or additives originating from the hopper communicateeither with the first zone, or with the second zone;

[0023] c) a second means comprising a plurality of openings, separatedby solid parts, suitable, by the lateral movement of the said secondmeans, for blocking off, to a greater or lesser extent, the openings ofthe first means.

[0024] They are also characterized in that the means for the transfer ofthe seed or of the additives originating from the metering unit into thefurrows made in the soil by the scarification unit consist of a funnelfitted with a tube linked to a hollow sowing finger.

[0025] The features and advantages of the invention will appear moreclearly on reading the detailed description that follows of at least onepreferred embodiment of the invention given as a non-limiting exampleand represented in the appended drawings.

[0026] In these drawings:

[0027]FIG. 1 is an exploded view, in perspective, of the varioussubassemblies of the device according to the invention;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a detail view, in perspective, of the distribution roll;

[0029]FIG. 3 is a partial view, in longitudinal section, of thepreceding first and second means associated with the distribution rolland the collection funnel.

[0030] The device for the selective metering of seed and additives,represented in the figures, comprises essentially:

[0031] a) a hopper (1) intended to contain the said seed or the saidadditives;

[0032] b) a unit for the selective metering (2, 3, 4) of the seed or ofthe additives originating from the said hopper;

[0033] c) means (5, 6) of transferring the seed or the additivesoriginating from the said metering unit, into furrows created in thesoil by means of a scarification unit provided with a plurality of discs(7).

[0034] The unit for the selective metering of the seed and additivesoriginating from the hopper comprises in combination:

[0035] a) a selective metering roll (2) comprising, longitudinally, aplurality of successive zones (Z) each subdivided into at least twozones (Z1) and (Z2) provided with means (2A), (2B) and (2C) suitable formetering the seed or the additives according to their particle size;

[0036] b) a means (3) comprising a plurality of openings (3A), separatedby solid parts (3B), suitable, by the lateral movement of the said means(3), for making the seed or additives originating from the hopper (1)communicate either with the zone (Z1), or with the zone (Z2);

[0037] c) a means (4) comprising a plurality of openings (4A), separatedby solid parts (4B), suitable, by the lateral movement of the said means(4), for blocking off, to a greater or lesser extent the openings (3A)of the means (3).

[0038] According to the particularities of implementation of the roll(2):

[0039] the means (2A) consists of axial flutes (2A) disposed on theperiphery of the entire width of the zone (Z1): they are designed tocarry the seeds of large dimensions (particle size in the order of 500to 700 seeds per gram) and to meter up to 50 g/m² of seeds and up to 120g/m² of fertilizers or coated improvers;

[0040] the means (2B) consists of the smooth external casing, of theroll (2), which occupies a part of the width of the zone (Z2) and atleast the part of the said roll concerned by the said casing is made outof dielectric material charged with static electric particles by therubbing, during the rotation of the roll (2), of a means (8), of thesweeping brush type: it is designed to carry, by electrostatic effect,fine seeds (particle size of the order of 18 000 to 23 000 seeds pergram) and to obtain a minimum metering of the order of 0.25 g/m² ;

[0041] the means (2C) consists of spot facings formed on the peripheryof the part of the width of the zone (Z2) not occupied by the means (2B): it is designed to carry medium-size, round seeds (particle size of theorder of 2500 seeds per gram).

[0042] The means for the transfer of the seed or of the additivesoriginating from the metering unit into the furrows made in the soil bythe scarification unit consist of a funnel (5) fitted with a tube (5A),preferably flexible and transparent linked to a hollow sowing finger(6).

[0043] Each hollow sowing finger (6) comprises:

[0044] a hollow sliding extension the travel of which is suitable toenable its bottom extremity to transfer the seed or the additives asnear a s possible to the furrows;

[0045] an arm (9) suitable for parting the grass on either side of thefurrows.

[0046] sliding capillary tubes suitable for transferring liquidadditives as close as possible to the furrows.

[0047] The capillary tubes are supplied by solenoid valves controlled bya throughput computer.

[0048] The speed of rotation of the distribution roll (2) is controlledby the speed of forward travel of the machine carrying and pulling theset of elements constituting the metering device. The distribution iscalled “forced” and is proportional to the speed of forward travel.

[0049] The set of elements constituting the metering device is linked tothe carrying and pulling machine by means of a hydropneumaticsuspension.

[0050] The device in question also comprises:

[0051] a link arm (10) for attachment to the hitch points;

[0052] a shaft (11), carrying the discs (7) of the scarifier, drivingthe roll (2).

[0053] One and the same machine may carry, and therefore pull, severaldevices according to the invention in order to cover a multiple surfacearea.

[0054] For example, for a basic module 70 cm wide, a tool-carriersuitable for supporting up to five modules can cover a width of 3.50 m.

[0055] Naturally the invention is not restricted to the embodimentsdescribed and represented for which other variants may be envisaged,particularly in the design, the number and dimensions of the openings ofthe means (3) and (4), of the means of sorting and of metering (2A),(2B) and (2C), of the means of transfer (6, 7) and it may be extended toother applications.

1-11. (cancelled)
 12. Device for the selective metering of seed intendedessentially for sowing and/or reseeding soils and of additives intendedessentially for improving and/or treating the soils; the said devicecomprising: a) a hopper (1) for holding seeds or the additives or both;b) a unit for the selective metering (1, 2 and 3) of the seed or of theadditives or both originating from the hopper; c) means 5 and 6, fortransferring the seeds or the additives or both originating from themetering unit into furrows created in the soil by means of ascarification unit provided with a plurality of discs (7); wherein theunit for the selective metering of the seed and additives originatingfrom the hopper comprises: a) a selective metering roll (2) comprising,longitudinally, a plurality of successive zones, Z, each zone beingsubdivided into at least two zones, Z1 and Z2 and provided with means,2A, 2B and 2C, suitable for metering the seed or the additives accordingto their particle size; b) a means 3 comprising a plurality of openings,3A, separated by solid parts, suitable by the lateral movement of thesaid means for making the seed or additives originating from the hoppercommunicate either with the zone Z1 or with the zone Z2; c) a means 4,comprising a plurality of openings separated by solid parts, suitable bythe lateral movement of the said means for blocking off to a greater orlesser extent, the openings 3A of the means
 3. 13. Device according toclaim 12, wherein the means comprises axial flutes (2A) disposed on theperiphery of the entire width of the zone Z1.
 14. Device according toclaim 12, wherein the means 2B comprises a smooth external casing of theroll (2) which occupies a part of the width of the zone Z2 and in thatat least the part of the said roll concerned by the said casing is madeout of dielectric material charged with electric particles due torubbing during the rotation of the roll (2) of a means 8 of the sweepingbrush type.
 15. Device according to claim 12 wherein the means 2Ccomprises spot facings formed on the periphery of the part of the widthof the zone Z2 not occupied by the means 2B.
 16. Device according toclaim 14 wherein the means 2C comprises spot facings formed on theperiphery of the part of the width of the zone Z2 not occupied by themeans 2B.
 17. Device according to claim 12, wherein the means for thetransfer of the seed or of the additives originating from the meteringunit, into the furrows made in the soil by the scarification unit,comprise a funnel (5) fitted with a tube (5A) linked to a hollow sowingfinger (6).
 18. Device according to claim 17, wherein each hollow sowingfinger (6) comprises a hollow sliding extension the travel of which issuitable to enable its bottom extremity to transfer the seed or theadditives as near as possible to the furrows.
 19. Device according toclaim 17, wherein each hollow sowing finger (6) comprises an arm (9)suitable for parting the grass on either side of the furrows.
 20. Deviceaccording to claim 17, wherein each hollow sowing finger (6) comprisessliding capillary tubes suitable for transferring liquid additives asclose as possible to the furrows.
 21. Device according to claim 20,wherein the capillary tubes are supplied by solenoid valves controlledby a throughput computer and a distributor controlled by forward travel.22. Device according to claim 12, wherein the speed of rotation of thedistribution roll (2) is controlled by the speed of forward travel ofthe machine carrying and pulling a set of elements comprising theselective metering unit.
 23. Device according to claim 12, wherein theset of elements comprising the selective metering unit is linked to thecarrying and pulling machine by means of a hydropneumatic suspension.24. Device according to claim 13, wherein the set of elements comprisingthe selective metering unit is linked to the carrying and pullingmachine by means of a hydropneumatic suspension.
 25. Device according toclaim 14, wherein the set of elements comprising the selective meteringunit is linked to the carrying and pulling machine by means of ahydropneumatic suspension.
 26. Device according to claim 15, wherein theset of elements comprising the selective metering unit is linked to thecarrying and pulling machine by means of a hydropneumatic suspension.27. Device according to claim 16, wherein the set of elements comprisingthe selective metering unit is linked to the carrying and pullingmachine by means of a hydropneumatic suspension.
 28. Device according toclaim 17, wherein the set of elements comprising the selective meteringunit is linked to the carrying and pulling machine by means of ahydropneumatic suspension.
 29. Device according to claim 18, wherein theset of elements comprising the selective metering unit is linked to thecarrying and pulling machine by means of a hydropneumatic suspension.30. Device according to claim 19, wherein the set of elements comprisingthe selective metering unit is linked to the carrying and pullingmachine by means of a hydropneumatic suspension.
 31. Device according toclaim 20, wherein the set of elements comprising the selective meteringunit is linked to the carrying and pulling machine by means of ahydropneumatic suspension.
 32. Device according to claim 21, wherein theset of elements comprising the selective metering unit is linked to thecarrying and pulling machine by means of a hydropneumatic suspension.33. Device according to claim 22, wherein the set of elements comprisingthe selective metering unit is linked to the carrying and pullingmachine by means of a hydropneumatic suspension.